Bahrain Trying Terrorist Cell for Plotting Attacks in Retaliation to Soleimani Killing

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
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Bahrain Trying Terrorist Cell for Plotting Attacks in Retaliation to Soleimani Killing

Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)
Bahrain's capital Manama. (Getty Images)

Bahrain’s interior ministry said on Sunday it had foiled a “terrorist attack” early this year that was backed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The statement confirmed earlier media reports by Akhbar al-Khaleej newspaper about an alleged planned attack and added a timeframe.

“We want to make clear that this case goes back to early 2020 and it is currently being looked into by the relevant court,” the ministry said in a statement carried by the Bahrain news agency (BNA).

The statement criticized the newspaper for its “inaccurate” reporting of the case, saying it may affect the court proceedings. It called on all media to adhere to professional standards in such reports.

Later on Monday, Advocate General Ahmed Al Hammadi said the High Criminal Case is still looking into the case of 18 defendants accused of plotting to carry out terrorist attacks in the country

The Public Prosecution started investigating the case after the defendants were arrested in mid-January 2020.

The probe has revealed that the main defendants, based in Iran and receiving financial and logistical support from the Revolutionary Guard, have set up a group to commit terrorist acts in Bahrain and have recruited the other suspects as members.

The defendants plotted to carry out terrorist acts with the aim of spreading fear among people and chaos in the society and weakening the foundations of the state, Al Hammadi said, according to BNA.

The defendants collected funds for their terrorist operations and acquired explosive and flammable devices, materials and tools used in making them. Some of the defendants had received training in the use of firearms and explosives as their terror acts included exploding bombs and targeting security forces.

The investigations revealed that they started carrying out their plans by planting explosive devices in public places with the intention of targeting security personnel.

They also revealed that following the killing of the terrorist Soleimani at the beginning of the year, one defendant asked the leaders of the terrorist group to avenge his killing and name their group “The Martyr Qassem Soleimani Brigade” and that name was approved.

“Based on the evidence against them, the prosecution referred the defendants, including nine in absentia, to justice. Their case was reviewed by the High Criminal Court where the defendants appeared accompanied by their lawyers. The case was postponed to September 21 and the court heard the pleadings of the defense and their witnesses. The case was postponed to September 28 to hear the pleadings of the remaining defendants,” Al Hammadi said.



MWL Condemns Knesset’s Motion to Impose Sovereignty' over West Bank

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
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MWL Condemns Knesset’s Motion to Impose Sovereignty' over West Bank

The Muslim World League (MWL) logo
The Muslim World League (MWL) logo

The Muslim World League (MWL) has strongly condemned the Israeli Knesset's approval of a declaration calling for the imposition of "Israeli sovereignty" over the West Bank, the Saudi Press Agency said on Thursday.

MWL said the move reflects Israel's continued provocations against the Arab and Islamic nations and all peace-and justice-loving peoples around the world. The MWL denounced Israel's ongoing disregard for international laws and norms, and its deliberate undermining of all efforts aimed at stopping war and achieving peace.

In a statement issued by the MWL General Secretariat, MWL Secretary-General and Organization of Muslim Scholars Chairman Sheikh Dr. Mohammed Al-Issa denounced the Israeli government's persistent policy of undermining the lives, dignity, and legitimate rights of the Palestinian people. He stressed that Israel continues to violate all international and humanitarian laws and values in the Palestinian territories, describing the extremist government's criminal behavior as a major obstacle to a just and comprehensive peace and the stability sought by all in the region.

Al-Issa reiterated the justice and centrality of the Palestinian cause in the Arab and Islamic consciousness, as well as in the conscience of every fair-minded person. He stressed the historical and legal rights of the Palestinian people that no de facto situation can strip away.

He also called on the international community to take a sincere and serious stand and to fulfill its legal and moral responsibilities to end the ongoing humanitarian tragedy facing the Palestinian people. The secretary-general urged support for the Palestinians' legitimate right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state along the pre-1967 borders with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with relevant international legitimacy resolutions.